A look at our 92 title winning side – Dorigo

Tony Dorigo was signed from Chelsea for £1.3 million in May 1991 and was an instant success being voted player of the year in our Championship winning season of 1991-92. Dorigo was a scorer at Wembley as Leeds beat Liverpool 4-3 to win the Charity Shield in August 1992. He continued to make progress on the International front but he was blighted by injuries in his last two seasons with Leeds. Dorigo was known for his great first touch and quick acceleration and is regarded as United’s best left back since Terry Cooper. Dorigo was in fact voted 18th in the greatest 100 players to play for the club. He was the regular first choice until knee and hamstring problems interrupted his career and Ian Harte’s rise signaled competition for his place. Dorigo enjoyed an extended run in the side in 1996/97. After six years at Elland Road and just one season under the new management of George Graham, Dorigo found himself surplus to requirements at Elland Road and in July 1997 he made the surprise move to Serie B side Torino, managed by former Liverpool boss Graeme Souness. Dorigo went on to play for Derby County and Stoke City before retiring and is now working as a pundit.

91/92 season.

Tony Dorigo played a vital part in United’s title winning season scoring 3 goals along the way in 38 league appearances. It says a lot about Dorigo’s contribution that he picked up the fans player of the year award in a title winning side and playing in such a talented team. Dorigo scored his first of the season at Elland Road in 3-0 win over Manchester City, his second goal came in a 2-2 draw at Carrow Road against Norwich City and his third was notched in the 6-1 drubbing of Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Dorigo also proved pivotal in the attacking flanks by providing many crosses for Lee Chapman and himself and Mel Sterland became a formidable partnership operating from full back. Dorigo though was also a very capable defender and from my memories of watching Leeds he remains the best left back we have had and I do think it will take someone very special to beat him for that mantle.

Thanks for reading, please leave your memories of the title-winning season and if you have any particular memories of this season then please get in touch as we would be interested to hear them and maybe get you to write about them on our website. Next week we take a look at David Batty. Thanks again for reading.

4 comments

Tony Dorigo was a truly fantastic left back and in my view he should be included in the greatest ever Leeds team, because he was a brilliant defender and probably the fastest left back to ever play for Leeds.
Terry Cooper was also a great left back for Leeds, but he was probably better at going forward, than he was at defending.
Dorigo did not get too far forward, but when he did forward his electric pace always got him back into his own penalty area, when opposing teams would break forward on a counter-attack.
Another main strength of Dorigo was ability to make crucial, perfectly timed, sliding tackles on many a pacey right winger.
It’s just a shame that Tony Dorigo did not play more games for Leeds, but he still made a huge impression at Elland Road.

Terry Cooper was one of only three England players (the others were Banks and Moore)that featured in the 1970 world cup team of the tournament. All the more remarkable when you realise who was left back for Brazil and Italy. Sorry, Tony Dorigo was a very good player but I would take Cooper any day. He was better going forward, but he was also better defending too